-> ''"We only buy into what we can sell\\We only want to protect you from yourself"''-->-- "Control" by ''[[Music/{{KMFDM}} MDFMK]]''

All too often, when someone is forced to do something they don't want to do, they will be told, "It's for your own good!" This will usually be said by a parent. Other variations may include "We're doing this because we love you" or "We're doing this because we care". Often TruthInTelevision.

It can also be used by someone (usually an adult) justifying why they did something to someone (usually a child), especially when the child thinks it was wrong. Of course, the child is almost always right.

In some works this might be PlayedForLaughs during an intervention. Compare ToughLove and CruelToBeKind, which happens with something undesirable that ''really is'' for the person's own good. If the helpers are overbearing, a nuisance, or downright harmful in their attempts to render assistance, expect to hear "StopHelpingMe"

----!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Anime & Manga]]* A whole lot of abusive parents in manga and anime eventually break down sobbing and explaining that it was all, in some brain-twisty way, [[WellIntentionedExtremist for the child's own good]] and they actually care. [[ValuesDissonance They are almost without exception immediately forgiven.]] Even when what they did was hideous and illogical and ineffective and the kid will clearly be dealing with it for the rest of his or her life.** If they don't cry, the chance of this (forgiveness) is much lower. See [[spoiler: [[Anime/CodeGeass Charles vi Britannia]]]] for a detailed example.* In the [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist 2003 anime version]] of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' anime, this is basically Hohenheim's excuse for leaving his family: [[spoiler:because of his immortality, his body is slowly rotting away and he didn't want his family finding out. There's also the matter of Dante and the Homonculi keeping tabs on him.]][[/folder]]

[[folder: Comic Books]]* This was a common explanation in the SilverAge for why the good guys had spent the whole issue behaving like jerks to their {{Love Interest}}s / {{Sidekick}}s / {{Mentor}}s. The person in question would always accept this without complaint and things would go right back to normal. It is one of the main excuses for [[Website/{{Superdickery}} Superman being a dick]].[[/folder]]

[[folder: Fan Works]]* In ''FanFic/AnAlternateKeitaroUrashima'', [[ManipulativeBitch Granny Hina]] claims that she has everyone's best interests at heart when she's playing TheChessmaster.* In many [[Fanfic/TheConversionBureau Conversion Bureau]] [[RecursiveFanfiction spin-off fics]] the Equestrians see their AssimilationPlot as noble and good because HumansAreTheRealMonsters. The PER take it further by forcibly ponifying people under the pretense of "saving" them, whether they want it [[BalefulPolymorph or not]]. It's pretty easy to see why detractors of the TCB Universe compare the ponies in these fic to [[ScaryDogmaticAliens conquistadors]] or [[GodwinsLaw Na]][[ANaziByAnyOtherName zis]].[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek 2}}'', Fiona seems to think this is why her parents locked her in the tower.* DuelingMovies ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'' would have TheDragon use this as an excuse to stop the VillainProtagonist from doing something that would distract them.* ''Disney/WreckItRalph'': Ralph says this right before [[spoiler: he wrecks the kart he and Vanellope made together.]][[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]* This is why Megan's parents send her to a "straight camp" in ''Film/ButImACheerleader.''* In ''Film/CoolHandLuke'', when the title character is captured after his first escape attempt and fit into chains before the other inmates, the Captain loudly informs Luke, and the prison at large, how the chains will remind him not to try and escape, ending with "For yer own good." Luke dryly replies "I wish you'd stop being so good to me, Captain."* In ''Film/HeavenlyCreatures'', Juliet has been repeatedly abandoned by her parents or taken from places and people she loves "for the good of her health." At one point she snaps "They sent me to the Bahamas for the good of my health. They sent me to the Bay of bloody Islands for the good of my health!" Finally, when she is told she's to be separated from her heart's companion Pauline and sent to South Africa with relatives "for the good of your health", she lets out a bloodcurdling scream.* ''Film/VForVendetta'' (film version): Norsefire's SecretPolice, the Fingermen, regularly arrest non-caucasians, dissenters and homosexuals, and send them to internment camps or execution...and all of their vans have "For Your Protection" written on the back.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Literature]]* The only ''really'' valid reason for [[Literature/HarryPotter Harry's]] return to his ridiculously unfit guardians every summer was that pesky blood-protection bit [[EccentricMentor Dumbledore]] thought so much of. 'Twas for his own good, but only in the most basic-survival sort of way.** Dumbledore also points out a couple times that it was rather useful in stopping Harry from becoming full of himself due to being exposed to fame at a too early age. Whether it was worth the abuse he got instead is up for debate...** Hermione also uttered some variant of this when Harry and Ron demanded to know why she [[Literature/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban turned the Firebolt over to [=McGonagall=] for stripping]].* In ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'', a rather large portion of Edward's actions are for what he considers Bella's own good, whether or not she agrees--though she usually does. These actions include following her without her consent, breaking into her room every night to watch her, forcing her to flee Forks when James hunts her, leaving her in New Moon because she might be killed if she stays with him, stealing her car engine so she can't visit Jacob, etc. The list goes on, right to the end of the series.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Music]]* An indirect version in the song ''Sooner or Later'': "We only want what's best for you, that's why we tell you what to do."* [[Music/{{KMFDM}} MDFMK]] song "[[http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/m/mdfmk9160/control307983.html Control]]" mentions this among the rest of {{dystopia}}n features.* Will Smith's theme from ''Film/MenInBlack'' uses this:--> 'Cause if we ever show up in your section/Believe me, it's for your own protection.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Newspaper Comics]]* Calvin's father in ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'' often tells his precocious son that various unpleasant activities "build character".** "Pretty convenient how every time ''I'' build character, ''he'' saves a couple hundred bucks."[[/folder]]

[[folder: Professional Wrestling]]* The whole in-character idea behind Wrestling/{{WWE}}'s Right To Censor stable, even invoked by name by the leader, [[Wrestling/StevieRichards Steven Richards]]. Out of character, it was a pretty blatant TakeThat against the Parents Television Council.* Valentina was left alone in SCW before and Wrestling/{{TNA}} after but discouraged from joining Women's Extreme Wrestling by her sister, [[Wrestling/MickieJames Alexis Laree]], on the grounds it was a racy {{garbage wrestling}} fed (yes, even more so than early TNA)* In 2007, Wrestling/{{Hornswoggle}} won a battle royal to become [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwe-c.html WWE Cruiserweight Champion]]. A week later, GM Wrestling/VickieGuerrero told him that as a champion AND as Wrestling/{{Vince McMahon}}'s illegitimate son, he'd a target of the other wrestlers and she'd hate for anything bad to happen to him, so for his own safety, she stripped him of the title.* Wrestling/RoderickStrong's reasoning for antagonizing Cedric Alexander, and Decade attacking the C&C Wrestle Factory, saying he was only doing for him what they established Wrestling/RingOfHonor veterans did for Strong and the rest of Generation Next.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Tabletop Games]]* A near-catchphrase of the Tau Empire in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'', along with For The Greater Good, to justify all ''sorts'' of things. And these are the wide-eyed idealists of the setting.** The Imperial Guard actually have a rule called "For Your Own Good", where a Psyker that comes under psychic assault while using their powers is summarily killed as a precaution if a Commissar is in the squad.* In ''TabletopGame/{{Mystara}}'' when the Alphatian point of view is voiced, they are resentful over the lack of appreciation Thyatian "barbarians" show for conquering and enslaving, er, patronizing and "educating" them in general, and over "perverting our teachings" (not becoming TheMagocracy too after they kicked Alphatians out) in particular.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Video Games]]* Kreia in ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic II'' has an unfortunate habit of [[SocialDarwinist setting large and unpleasant threats on your party in order to toughen you up]].* [[spoiler:David Sarif]] from ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution'' gave [[spoiler:Adam all of his augments without his consent, at the cost of removing stuff that didn't even need to be removed. But given Sarif's views on Augmentation and how much he sees it as a benefit to anybody, he genuinely sees what he did as a favor more than anything else.]][[/folder]]

[[folder: Web Comics]]* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' has Tarquin finishing [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0758.html an overview of his scheme]] of creating three empires with puppet rulers controlled by him and his pals playing [[GoodCopBadCop bad empire - good empire]] until they subsume the whole continent with "It's for their own good". Because [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything once everyone else is conquered, there's going to be peace, right?]]** Haley wanted to [[spoiler:[[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0773.html bust her father out of prison]]]] against his will when she lost patience with his self-important paranoia.* [[http://evoncomics.com/?p=1513 Invoked by Venir]] in ''Webcomic/{{Evon}}'', as he plannned to betray Evon and Hero to [[TheIlluminati The Cabal]], thinking Evon had some sort of mystical hold on Hero. Once Evon was gone, Hero would return to his senses. The massive reward The Cabal offered for Evon's capture had [[BlatantLies nothing to do with it.]][[/folder]]

[[folder: Western Animation]]* In the original ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'' cartoon, [[BigGuy Omega Supreme]] tries to undo the brainwashing done to his enemy, Devastator, using this phrase in the process. Devastator throws the phrase back into his face during a later fight.* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', Toph Beifong's parents quote the trope name word for word as justification for their decision to lock her up, ostensibly to protect her. This is directly after [[HandicappedBadass Toph]] beat up an arena full of large, earthbending men right in front of her dad. You'd think they'd get the idea that their daughter is ''more'' than capable of protecting herself...[[/folder]]

[[folder: Real Life]]* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Miller_%28psychologist%29 Dr. Alice Miller's]] book on cruelty in the name of discipline is called ''At the Beginning of Education'' in the original German, but is known as ''[[http://www.nospank.net/fyog.htm For Your Own Good]]'' in its English translation.* For Her Own Good: 150 Years of the Experts' Advice to Women, by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English, talks about American medical, psychological, and childbearing "help" and advice that did great harm to women although the experts insisted it was meant for their own good. (Such as clitoredectomy, to name just one unfortunate idea.)* "Chief, don't you be my benefactor" was an old adage in Soviet prisons. Lev Gumilev -- who was there in Stalin's era -- used more than one opportunity to quote it in the context of politics in his history books.* As is already mentioned here about ButImACheerleader, many parents take their homo/bi/pansexual and/or transgender children to "straight camps" or other places (such as private clinics or hospitals) to cure them of their "homosexual feelings" for this reason.** Similar to the "applied behavioral analysis" treatment methods used to "cure" autism. It fails to cure autism but is '''highly''' successful at inducing post-traumatic stress disorder.*** A time was when this would also be used to "cure" that debilitating ailment of sinestrality (aka left-handedness)* European imperialism was justified by this trope, particularly during the Victorian era. Many Europeans saw themselves as having a sacred "duty" to bring "civilization" to all of the [[InformedFlaw savage and barbaric heathens]] of the rest of the world, whether they wanted it or not. Other races, especially in North America and Africa, were seen as overgrown children who needed to be taught the "proper" way to live. [[/folder]]----